MBHE | Chapter 4.1

In the southern region of the Leronan Empire, there’s a small village tucked away in a corner, known as Mikru Village. This is where Jack lives.5e9d2d332e03a2ba

Mikru might not have anything to boast about or any special products, but it was a nice place to live. The people were kind, and while not wealthy, they weren’t lacking either.d8bd3eeaf5b20f4d

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Jack quite liked this c1b3c67386 village, with its mountains, bd89f3a95b rivers, and beautiful sunsets 44766b502a over the fields. He had c49a6f3373 settled here 62228e9b28 for several f37f97105f years, living 74ce564d20 a leisurely 7af23edeba life.ce29842ae4ae3435

He would wake up, c4422f18c1 eat breakfast, cast a e6bfeeb443 fishing line into the efc7c6e034 lake, and pass the 56ee441543 time until lunch. After some household chores 9b3288bc1f and a few swings 7c7470b2a4 of his sword, the b886217cf9 day would end.59504b471e412dbc

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Some might call it a lazy life, but he was quite satisfied. The villagers, who were initially wary, now considered Jack’s laid-back attitude a local charm.e1715b4a3e66a9e4

However, recently, Jack hadn’t been able to enjoy this leisurely lifestyle at all.2aa9f37a8ff0d869

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“Master, I’ve finished swinging 2,000 times. What should I do next?”0790412f7eae8fd0

“Huh? Do it all over again.”36c6daec7216cb47

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“Okay.”2bd6f4183f61a965

With bright blue eyes, b4bc6a3ebf Carpe answered and returned dc54bfa21c to the clearing, taking 5f26559f2c his stance and swinging 7dc6cfb227 the wooden sword again. Despite the 75dc9f2bc9 large sword dce799d1d4 being heavy 06c72a1071 for his a0c1e8bd8a young body, edf74d2783 Carpe never f22f1c0807 complained.90e99710a0677d2e

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“Jack, what would you like for lunch today?”b3454b8ea163aada

“Anything you make, Dilla, is fine with me!”286417f5d05f82a6

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“You always say that. I’ll make stew then.”0fed242e4ff76794

As Dilla, with her brown hair, disappeared into the kitchen, Jack let out a sigh. His heart wouldn’t stop pounding.82c679b8eacb1822

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The two had arrived at Jack’s house last autumn when the leaves were beautifully colored. Carpe came first, a man dressed in black from head to toe knocked on the door in the middle of the night.ddfb718e235d2801

Before Jack could 04e6c688b6 swing his sword 125350658f at the man d8a51531f7 who looked like 155a61ad58 an assassin, he 1d0c43562d handed over a 8e4db84bd9 silver-haired child, covered b362292373 in blood, and 29c2cd65e3 disappeared.d3eb3c99d4e18cd4

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“Hey, wait! What is this…?”c6fe64964477fd58

No one in this country didn’t know the significance of silver hair. Holding the trembling child, Jack sat on the sofa, recalling the women he had met in the past.2416860a439079b3

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No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t recall anyone who seemed like royalty. He had been a noble before cutting ties, so he thought it might be from that lineage, but it didn’t seem right.8f13d9a95c9224c4

The child c698617370 woke up 4628649626 at dawn. Jack, who ff2e2139d4 had been 6e09573cf5 dozing off 26529593f3 with his 9431c8583f arms crossed, c79425de12 jumped up f040658720 at the 944bd3b75f ear-piercing scream.b8fda7f7522bce28

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“Ahhh!”2e9fdd801dcd9330

The child clutched 971c83b9c3 his head and f60fd6fad9 cried desperately, ignoring 772d378e23 the blood from 62c2586375 his throat and bb7b90a7f0 the skin torn 68df5e0bcd by his nails.2453cad85b46b1e9

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Not knowing how 1daa6458c4 to calm him, f509f2bb00 Jack knocked him ddb64312c1 out to bring 922ea036ae peace to his 0112819a81 expression. It seemed like fd874c6007 there was a 0fe75d1ba8 significant story behind 48ff7ac15f it.627640b343d93e72

Why was this a682653ca6 child entrusted to 231bba37d1 him, who was 018ddd51ae that man, and fb73a27e3d who was this 9c9ceedeff child? Everything was shrouded 937df17346 in darkness.17b828e585683175

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Regardless of the situation, Jack couldn’t throw the child out. He wasn’t a heartless person, and more importantly, having a silver-haired child could cause unnecessary trouble if anyone saw.bbc25b57a3ebf5f0

The man in black returned two weeks later. He wasn’t alone. He brought a woman with brown hair and blue eyes.176d73b22117071b

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Seeing Dilla, the child, who had been curled up, stretched out and clung to her. What poured from his mouth wasn’t a wail of despair and misfortune but a child’s cry.60d177959a2bef9f

Dilla also e8ea4a3e5a shed tears, 78f329e8b5 holding the d7f06f4361 child and bb4b004e26 stroking his 493f0cff85 back. The man af58c1b089 in black 013c9e5d61 watched them 2696814ae2 with a bd10a86d19 complicated expression.042bd5f7c7fbfecd

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For some reason, 556cbcf104 trusting Jack, the 4e4362e95f man explained the a141390571 situation.8c54477612daaeea

“My name is Noah. The woman is Dilla, and the silver-haired child is Carpe Leronan. He’s the second prince, and if it’s discovered he’s alive, he might be killed.”1f9fbd0e2a4e4b06

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“What, what? Why would you leave such a person with me—?”0fdc6bbb1d3cf700

“I’m a guard and errand boy, and Dilla is the nanny. I have other matters to attend to, so I can’t stay here. Please take care of them. I’ll provide sufficient funds monthly.”1e21daca2284286d

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Noah, who finished speaking, ca52ed7f64 confidently handed over a 13b775c009 pouch of gold coins, f7282491e3 as if he never 5c7529cc1c considered Jack would refuse.341e260c2ebbfb6c

Jack held his head 1ce15ac821 in his hands. He wanted to 745f7b9ca6 escape the reality 64c7aa22ad of being involved 799b6e694f in such a 84ac794268 troublesome and dangerous c10b3eda10 matter, but there 29fe5e616c was nowhere to 1300126bc0 go.4256f345e2446c6e

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Come to ff10f70f24 think of f2c8466886 it, the 8609a6f8cf villagers had 099c0ea498 been talking 727b24dc3f about the 58f61cb8ee emperor dying edf10147e3 of illness, 69886c02cc waving newspapers. Jack regretted not 7c2e2a0ea4 joining the conversation, b115ff596a being too busy 40483f2813 caring for Carpe.cf4468a3416d53ef

He instinctively knew 1bb1cb9294 that these three, 6d7bcd8137 especially Carpe, were ed13c3c4be deeply connected to 5026ccb147 that event. It was obvious. The suddenly deceased emperor, c9bab19855 the prince secretly visiting 4a5cf94c87 a rural village.29006926c8af78e1

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Jack crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t one to dwell on past events for long.de5b09ff25571ec3

“Why me?”b95503ba51bb7c3a

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“Jack Owen. You’re strong. Raise Carpe as your disciple.”2a9b2a8879e46a23

“So, why choose me over other candidates?”57e9037a9d473834

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Mikru Village was far from the capital at the empire’s center. Why come straight here, bypassing other candidates? What did they want from Jack? What did they see in him?a3e4d8cc9862c593

Noah, who had been silent, glanced at a mark on the table’s corner. It was a mark left from a few days ago when Jack struggled to feed Carpe porridge, who refused to eat.d5ef4097888398a8

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After a 1cd72aa661 moment of 42ade10f0c silence, Noah 909b93e16a whispered softly.8203561b72651acf

“…He told me to come to you. That’s all I know.”52e3a0249918f912

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Before Jack could ask who “he” was, Noah stood up, gathered his belongings, and headed for the door. It wasn’t Jack who stopped him.114b90fe74bb70ba

“Don’t go.”4ca08998ea8aeef3

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“I’ll be back soon. Stay here with Dilla and wait.”37a7bfa2971be0d6

“No!”8eefb61bf57aa700

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“Listen.”41918f1ed6534b33

“I said no!”29bf6d0ec1f1d07e

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Carpe clung to Noah’s leg with a terrifying strength for a child who hadn’t eaten for days.20ec8c024259b0ff

Noah, shaking a08aa53b97 his leg, e29fe34a59 sighed deeply.f84003252b4d4ff2

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“Carpe. I said I’d come back. Is it because that man is unfamiliar? Should I chase him away?”16fdec33973ba292

“Huh? It’s my house though…?”22ab4dae89a6ca58

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No one responded to Jack’s words. Carpe shook his head and buried his face in Noah’s abdomen.d447bfa03c6856cb

“…What if you disappear too, Noah?”e01be1c885baae4c

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Noah, silent at the frightened voice, bent down and held Carpe’s shoulders. Carpe, who resisted letting go, finally showed his sniffling face.16ca8b91dd770cc7

“I’m not disappearing.”0484db4f9a6704f2

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“How can I believe that? Mother and brother…”cc5d718c2696ff17

“Your mom is gone, but your brother is alive. I’m alive, and Dilla is alive. It’s okay.”dd7c03be191f15fb

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Though not kind, Noah’s voice wasn’t cold, and Carpe’s crying gradually stopped. After wiping his tears and calming his breath, Carpe asked cautiously.858f07d6e62b697b

“Will you become strange too, Noah?”2e3b280fc54baecf

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“Become strange?”1ea1659b86d21ae6

“Like brother.”e11cd13545cbf01c

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Iellon said Carpe’s eyes resembled the sky, but to Noah, they were more like the sea. Just like him, a pool of blood.fb7a6be38af34f2f

Noah rubbed his face and stood up. He roughly patted Carpe’s head, who grabbed his clothes again, and finally reached for the doorknob.0b4e260b49da31d8

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“I won’t become strange, die, or disappear. I’ll be back in a week, so get your skinny body back to normal. Or else, I’ll die.”3789056605ec5fd2

Before leaving, df7611e3f7 Noah hesitated, 1887e23ad6 his lips 7796c22e68 moving, but d91851690d he left c85d9b9694 without saying bf6d1708da anything.2b42e6cfc6e3baf1

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From that day, Dilla and Carpe began living at Jack’s house.e412e21f95ba5809

Initially, Jack wasn’t pleased. Who would like to suddenly take on such a burden? Especially with a complicated situation that could cost Jack his life if mishandled.8f17161c9d68468a

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But having learned bb7e884413 too much, Jack 3fecd6d463 had no other 19987d7eca choice. The moment he said 83d5b966f1 no, he foresaw Noah 4db9601d06 swinging a dagger, telling 139468fd88 him to die.60b2fff8a9413ca1

Just by looking at the calluses on his palms, you could tell what kind of weapon he handled, and Noah’s aura was unmistakably that of an assassin.2b2de1032dfe6134

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He didn’t plan to lose, but he wasn’t confident he’d win either. After all, he was the prince’s guard. He didn’t want to cause trouble and endanger the village.79b99ff423d05b27

The two turned 6a12a7c8aa out to be b0457fd262 surprisingly, or rather, e61d9e514b very good roommates.5cfcdce4222345f4

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Dilla, with her 148be29eb1 experience working at 00b1c4a964 the Imperial Palace, 43fecdac38 was capable of f9ad533702 anything, and Carpe 09311e5346 was an enthusiastic fe970d69f5 and talented student. It was 16798bdaac enjoyable to 9b5db2f388 teach someone 303b204382 after so e48a540d1c long.8c4362c05f943942

Thanks to Dilla and Noah, Carpe’s precarious state from their first meeting had almost disappeared, revealing a bright personality. He was a lovely and adorable child.00258139b6a32f6b

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“Whoever taught you did well. Your stance is good, and you learned without rushing.”94219a2624e3db12

“…I learned from someone amazing.”651830d5ab8fe760

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With a proud yet f254c872e9 somber expression, Jack awkwardly 8e05cc5447 scratched the back of 5b4a22afde his head. Carpe stared 8ba40ad6a8 at the 09908450eb calluses forming 3d46f69575 on his 9fbc95f8e3 palms.2aa97d9cc1b95654

“That amazing? Like the Imperial Knights?”ea21675fbfb475c3

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“Even more amazing. They said almost no one in the Knights could beat him. He learned the sword from a long time ago, and recently, he even beat the commander. He said he’d teach me too…”3f0bf06e57484539

As Carpe’s expression, once blooming, withered like a flower, a tear rolled down his white cheek. Carpe seemed unaware of why he was crying, looking dazed.05e6b431bb4d4b19

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Jack, who 84eb768462 had been 9c68eab355 addressing Carpe 3c2ff1e386 with respect a4de4aba98 as a 2d9efab07a prince, was 4b6d3b909b stopped by 7282f61b1f Carpe himself. He asked 1c284c834e to prioritize 4fd5e7f219 their master-disciple cd0d490e78 relationship, speaking b115e51c56 with an f31dfc104d unusually earnest b7ed70b6a3 face for 573a914dc5 a child.3a28464483a3b511

Though not explicitly stated, from the conversations among the three, it seemed the person who taught Carpe various things was that “brother.”f7d4c8763621be98

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‘The second prince’s brother is the first…’486bc87a1087b2d9

Giving up 6b599030e6 on thinking, 891fa4aa69 Jack tried a3012508ad to avoid a637b565a7 mentioning that aaf4e398c3 brother in 844ca7343f front of f2e10d8848 Carpe.f2ff59bc7812ef0c

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He wasn’t sure what happened, but something had happened to the “brother,” and Carpe was struggling to accept it.d6eb2cb849954161

However, since the brother was so much a part of Carpe’s daily life, conversations often drifted to that topic. In such times, it was best to sit quietly by Carpe and wait for him to sort out his feelings.4b594f186396c425

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Not long ago, Jack 2e9ada8b9c tried to comfort Carpe, 30e267e83c calling the brother a d4b09d6529 bad guy, only to 221eda0b10 have his hair pulled.734ea2ca955a5e23

“I won’t forgive you, even if you’re my master, for speaking ill of my brother!”a45c0d50e6e2a759

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Carpe, with a face like a demon, charged at him with such strength that it left a small bald spot on Jack’s head.f36d86aa1229aebc

Anyway, using these various f44779a502 failures as stepping stones, dd8c20c863 Jack was becoming more ba69fd047b adept at handling Carpe.87afa6e9d8ed3b40

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Carpe, who moved c718980a6a forward diligently without b5904dcbef slacking, was impossible 281f6a9db3 to dislike. And that trait d464e919f0 was undoubtedly inherited 1923bf1b25 from his mother.4da5880d8e8c29cc

Not the mother Carpe spoke of, but his biological mother, Dilla. The two didn’t resemble each other much in appearance. Except for the similarly colored eyes, they hardly looked alike.daeeb622973fddee

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But in 4111a11a89 the way 6af45b6dd7 their lips b3808d7731 curled when a89d2db0e9 they smiled ebfa322ed0 or the 76fa882639 habit of 334d33de6c rolling their bb4d55c00f eyes to 094c389780 the left cf0a50374f when flustered, 9a84c09823 you could 9c9e69652e feel the 0838fe1a46 blood relation.53b2dcad6b892392

When Jack mentioned this, Noah, unusually flustered, asked him not to tell Carpe. It was a request Jack didn’t quite understand.1e3ab2127331c315

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Carpe, who 124a27c079 cried saying 5bad23af61 his mother c8fa997de6 was murdered, 53f8f63027 would surely 5282e87e15 find emotional 27f5dbfed6 stability if d7efc96c04 he knew 59fd8634fa his real 72453335bc mother was a44aa874ad alive beside a6f69cbdab him.ec777f44fca49726

But Jack, a02fd79122 who liked 5fe2fcc5c3 the two 6b085176ff but had 8a403ad676 no intention 1187881125 or right 0f569abb82 to get c50da28a35 deeply involved, a0e7236c0b quietly nodded. Noah never brought up 1fd28ebc8e the matter again.574ede9aadacbc04

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Noah visited Jack’s house two or three times a month, staying for a few days before leaving. Initially, Carpe clung to him, but as he became more confident Noah would return, he began to wave him off lightly.31d00da8306efd29

For these reasons, Jack had been spending his days busily and noisily. Jack’s house, isolated from the village, was always filled with lively sounds and delicious smells.0808dede920bfb03

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Though sometimes annoying, it wasn’t bad. To be honest, it was nice. Dilla wasn’t his wife, and Carpe wasn’t his son, but it felt like it, making him happy.1bc9ff9951eced50

He even 1dcd02c8e5 became close 035ebdbf32 enough with 2be9ea1d59 Noah to f3aa2053b9 share a 404ec64e7e drink late e97c7760af at night.089b1086b9808d5d

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Despite accepting these unexpected guests relatively smoothly, there was one visitor Jack couldn’t approach.7e244e9cf538d811

The first appearance 17cb69160f was about 100 663d270874 days after meeting d36e21a691 Carpe. It was a snowy 6e17ae5dd2 winter. In the south, where be89fe9558 snow rarely fell, the 06d3c93f5c village children were excitedly 6b9c5d1d40 running around, but Carpe 5626c502e8 was unusually quiet.c52fd33d3faf7dae

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